In today’s germ-o-phobic world filled with allergies and asthma among fears of MRSA and other bacteria we, as parents and caretakers, often go the extra mile to ensure the cleanliness and healthiness of our children. Daily bathing and constant hand washing as well as disinfecting our homes seem like the perfect answers to steering clear of runny noses and allergens, but you may be surprised at the affect this can have.
Although cleanliness seems a necessary precaution against the microscopic evils in our homes, recent studies say that over-cleanliness can actually deplete your child’s natural immune system abilities. A child’s immune system matures, just like the rest of their bodies, and needs to come in contact with a controlled stimulus, or something to keep it up to par in order for it to do its job when it’s called upon to act. Studies show that in some cases children living in households at young ages with certain pet dander were less likely to develop asthma symptoms, and the same is true of allergies. Letting children run around barefoot outside brings them in contacts with many microorganisms, which similarly provide that controlled stimulus.
Another disturbing truth is that behind antibacterial soaps, detergents, etc. Antibacterials do get rid of the bad bacteria, but they also eliminate good bacteria that are actually helpful in keeping you healthy. Being exposed to myriad microbes helps build antibodies and keep us healthy. This is especially important with children whose immune systems are still maturing. Cleaning with antibacterial agents kills all bacteria and leaves residue that doesn’t allow good bacteria to reestablish. Cleaning with old-fashioned materials such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide can produce the same “germlessness” without the residue that keeps the good bacteria at bay.
The point here: let your children play with bugs! Get messy! Make mud pies and romp through a creek! Teaching your child hygiene is important, but letting them have fun in an environment that builds their immune systems is also important for future health. Marc McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System states, “At the end of the day parents should just let kids be kids.” So when your children brings a newly dug up worm into the kitchen, don’t immediately demand a thorough handwashing. Your child’s immune system is being built up. The germophobia that has struck the nation in recent years has a much worse bark than it has bite, and as my mother used to say, “You have to eat a speck of dirt before you die.”
Arizona University researchers have been studying the play of little kids. They’ve said that, “kids tend to isolate themselves by sex. And the more that they do, the more repellant they’ll find the opposite sex as time progresses.”
Young boys have been known to play with only fire trucks or only hot wheels. But boys have been fantasizing over guns, whether it is a toy gun or a real gun. Studies shown that when the younger boys have seen Titanic for the first time, they were really interested in being the bad guy, Cal, instead of being like Jack, the good guy. That is all just because Jack did not have a gun.
But with young girls, it’s a different story. Little girls are known to be playing with dolls, doing make-up, dress up, shopping and are ‘terrified’ of bugs and mud.
And seeing as how our world is rapidly changing, some girls are really into sports while some boys might enjoy shopping with their mom. But the main point here is, let your child play with whatever they feel like playing with. It makes them, them. So let your daughter, or son play with bugs and mud. It could also be an educational experience for them.
Citations:
Szegedy-Maszak, Marianne. "The power of gender." U.S News & World Report 130.22 (June 4, 2001):52. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Central york High School. 18 Mar. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodld=IPS>.
Douglas, Susan. "Journey to manhood." The Progressive 62.n5 (May 1998):17(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Central york High School. 18 Mar. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodld=IPS>.
Let Your Child Play With Bugs!
In today’s germ-o-phobic world filled with allergies and asthma among fears of MRSA and other bacteria we, as parents and caretakers, often go the extra mile to ensure the cleanliness and healthiness of our children. Daily bathing and constant hand washing as well as disinfecting our homes seem like the perfect answers to steering clear of runny noses and allergens, but you may be surprised at the affect this can have.
Although cleanliness seems a necessary precaution against the microscopic evils in our homes, recent studies say that over-cleanliness can actually deplete your child’s natural immune system abilities. A child’s immune system matures, just like the rest of their bodies, and needs to come in contact with a controlled stimulus, or something to keep it up to par in order for it to do its job when it’s called upon to act. Studies show that in some cases children living in households at young ages with certain pet dander were less likely to develop asthma symptoms, and the same is true of allergies. Letting children run around barefoot outside brings them in contacts with many microorganisms, which similarly provide that controlled stimulus.
Another disturbing truth is that behind antibacterial soaps, detergents, etc. Antibacterials do get rid of the bad bacteria, but they also eliminate good bacteria that are actually helpful in keeping you healthy. Being exposed to myriad microbes helps build antibodies and keep us healthy. This is especially important with children whose immune systems are still maturing. Cleaning with antibacterial agents kills all bacteria and leaves residue that doesn’t allow good bacteria to reestablish. Cleaning with old-fashioned materials such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide can produce the same “germlessness” without the residue that keeps the good bacteria at bay.
The point here: let your children play with bugs! Get messy! Make mud pies and romp through a creek! Teaching your child hygiene is important, but letting them have fun in an environment that builds their immune systems is also important for future health. Marc McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System states, “At the end of the day parents should just let kids be kids.” So when your children brings a newly dug up worm into the kitchen, don’t immediately demand a thorough handwashing. Your child’s immune system is being built up. The germophobia that has struck the nation in recent years has a much worse bark than it has bite, and as my mother used to say, “You have to eat a speck of dirt before you die.”
Citations:
Bryner, Jeanna. "The dirty truth? You can be too clean." msnbc Health 04-009-2007 19-003-2008 <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20774622/>.
Gordon, Sirena. "Too clean is no good." Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Center 25-007-2000 19-003-2008 <http://www.anapsid.org/tooclean.html>.
ullrich, dan. "Hygiene Hypothesis: Are We Too "Clean" for Our Own Good?." Health Link 24-009-2004 19-003-2008 <http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002421.html>.
Gender Enforced Toys
Arizona University researchers have been studying the play of little kids. They’ve said that, “kids tend to isolate themselves by sex. And the more that they do, the more repellant they’ll find the opposite sex as time progresses.”
Young boys have been known to play with only fire trucks or only hot wheels. But boys have been fantasizing over guns, whether it is a toy gun or a real gun. Studies shown that when the younger boys have seen Titanic for the first time, they were really interested in being the bad guy, Cal, instead of being like Jack, the good guy. That is all just because Jack did not have a gun.
But with young girls, it’s a different story. Little girls are known to be playing with dolls, doing make-up, dress up, shopping and are ‘terrified’ of bugs and mud.
And seeing as how our world is rapidly changing, some girls are really into sports while some boys might enjoy shopping with their mom. But the main point here is, let your child play with whatever they feel like playing with. It makes them, them. So let your daughter, or son play with bugs and mud. It could also be an educational experience for them.
Citations:
Szegedy-Maszak, Marianne. "The power of gender." U.S News & World Report 130.22 (June 4, 2001):52. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Central york High School. 18 Mar. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodld=IPS>.
Douglas, Susan. "Journey to manhood." The Progressive 62.n5 (May 1998):17(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Central york High School. 18 Mar. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodld=IPS>.